Injuring Qin Ming

Soon, the two moved almost simultaneously, so fast that they clashed in the blink of an eye.

Neither used a Soul Skill. They fought with basic combat techniques, exchanging more than a dozen blows in just a few breaths.

Soon, they had traded twenty moves, then thirty, then fifty...

Though the two seemed evenly matched, the onlookers thought Qin Ming held the upper hand.

That was only natural. Qin Ming was a teacher and a level-sixty Battle Soul Emperor. His combat record and experience were extensive.

Huo Linfei had killed a level-thirty-four Soul Elder, but he was still young and inexperienced.

In fact, they could not have been more wrong. Qin Ming was holding his ground only because of his vast Soul Power.

Qin Ming knew it better than anyone: Huo Linfei's combat skill and experience were in no way inferior to his own. They might even be greater.

Without his advantage in Soul Power, Qin Ming would have lost.

The longer they fought, the more startled Qin Ming became. He could not understand where someone not yet ten years old had acquired such combat skill and experience.

Talent to the limit, physique to the limit, and now combat skill and experience to the limit too. This boy was a monster, an absolute monster.

For no apparent reason, that word came to Qin Ming's mind.

Two breaths later, he remembered that he had graduated from Shrek Academy, a school of monsters. He had once called himself a monster, and others had called him one too.

Compared with Huo Linfei, what kind of monster was he? Huo Linfei was the real thing.

"First Soul Skill: Blazing Fire Wolf Burn!"

Qin Ming unleashed his first Soul Skill.

"Awooo!"

As Soul Power surged through Qin Ming, Blazing Fire Wolves formed from condensed flames. Howling, they charged straight at Huo Linfei!

"First Soul Skill: Fire Fist!"

Huo Linfei responded without hesitation, unleashing his own first Soul Skill to meet them!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A string of explosions rang out!

One Blazing Fire Wolf after another vanished beneath the Fire Fists!

But for all the force behind Huo Linfei's attack, the vast gap in Soul Power between him and Qin Ming let a few slip through the net.

The two remaining Blazing Fire Wolves, however, were no real threat to him.

With two punches, Huo Linfei smashed them both apart.

Just then, Qin Ming appeared right before him. Huo Linfei could only raise his arms in a hurried defense. The punch struck his forearms and sent him stumbling back dozens of steps, his arms tingling from the impact.

Once he steadied himself, Huo Linfei shook out his numb hands and attacked Qin Ming again.

His combat skill and experience were no worse, but the gap in Soul Power meant he was still a little slower.

"Second Soul Skill: Illusory Qilin Nebula Rift!"

The instant Huo Linfei closed in, he unleashed his second Soul Skill.

With the two of them at its center, heaven and earth changed color as countless crimson flames erupted!

"Second Soul Skill: Blazing Fire Protection!"

Qin Ming reacted quickly. His second Soul Skill took shape at once, forming a golden-red shield of flame that protected him completely.

Soon, Huo Linfei's second Soul Skill ended. Qin Ming's shield gave a crack and shattered into pieces.

"He's used both his Soul Skills, and neither had any effect on Teacher Qin Ming."

"This should be about over. There's no point in fighting any longer..."

The spectators murmured among themselves, sharing their opinions.

Huo Linfei panted, his eyes fixed on Qin Ming, and came to a conclusion.

The Soul Ancestor he had encountered back then must have been among the weakest, and newly promoted at that. Otherwise, Huo Linfei could never have killed him with a single Fire Cloud Art after catching him off guard.

He now had a reasonably accurate understanding of his own strength.

In a one-on-one fight, at his current level, he could beat an ordinary opponent who had just become a Soul Ancestor. He could not beat someone as talented and powerful as Qin Ming, though he should still be able to trade a few moves with him.

"Well? Do you want to continue?"

Qin Ming smiled at Huo Linfei as he asked.

Qin Ming had reached his own conclusion. Against anyone at the same level, Huo Linfei had no equal. The same held true even against opponents five to eight levels above him.

As for opponents nine to eleven levels above him, they were roughly his match. Neither side would find it easy to win or kill the other.

The weakest opponents were exceptions, of course.

"Let's continue. I still have one move left."

Huo Linfei took a deep breath before answering.

"One more move?"

Qin Ming was baffled, and everyone else was even more so.

Don't you only have two Soul Rings? You've used both your Soul Skills. Where would another move come from?

"All right, let's continue."

Qin Ming was puzzled, but since Huo Linfei had said so, there was no harm in seeing what he meant.

"Then be careful, Teacher."

With that, Huo Linfei stood where he was and drew all his Soul Power into his right fist. After a full three seconds, he stamped his foot down and shot toward Qin Ming like a cannonball!

"Fire—Cloud—Art!"

"What is this?!"

Huo Linfei's aura climbed higher and higher. The Soul Power surging from his right fist made Qin Ming's heart quiver, and he could not help but start in alarm.

"Second Soul Skill: Blazing Fire Protection!"

The instant Huo Linfei drew near, Qin Ming unleashed his second Soul Skill again.

As Huo Linfei's fist approached the shield of flame, Qin Ming's pupils abruptly contracted.

"Oh no!"

With that startled cry, Qin Ming brought his Soul Rings from four to five. The moment his fifth Soul Ring lit up, the shield of flame grew denser.

Crack—

A crisp sound rang out.

It was not loud, but it sent a jolt through everyone's hearts!

That was a Soul Power shield backed by a Soul King, yet it had cracked! A level-twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster had split it with a single punch!

Just as Qin Ming thought it was over, an invisible force grazed his shoulder, tearing his clothes and leaving a faint streak of blood.

Only then was it over.

Huo Linfei lowered his fist. All the strength seemed to drain from him, and he staggered, nearly falling to the ground. Qin Ming caught him in time.

That punch had drained nearly every last drop of Huo Linfei's Soul Power. When he saw the bright red mark on Qin Ming's shoulder, he smiled.

It proved his improvements were headed in the right direction.

Once this move could wound both inside and out, no one would be able to withstand it.

The others gathered around. When they saw the wound on Qin Ming's shoulder, uncertainty and astonishment crossed their faces. The looks they gave Huo Linfei were filled with utter admiration and respect.

A level-twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster had wounded a Soul King. Who would believe it?